Argentina coach slams ‘disrespectful’ captains photo shoot

TOWNSVILLE, Australia: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma launched a scathing attack on Rugby Championship bosses, claiming his side were ‘disrespected’ after a captains photoshoot went ahead without anyone from the Pumas.

The event took place in Townsville on Friday to promote a double header of rugby action a day later with Australian skipper Michael Hooper, New Zealand’s Ardie Savea and South Africa’s Siya Kolisi smiling and joking in front of the cameras.

But Argentina captain Julian Montoya was absent, as the team had not yet arrived in the northern Queensland town.

A fuming Ledesma said Saturday night it should not have gone ahead without an Argentinian representative.

“The boys and staff felt really disrespected,” he said, raising the issue without being prompted after his team crashed 27-8 to the Wallabies that evening, in their fifth straight defeat. — AFP